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Unit of study_

BBCL1001: Reading Bible: Narrative, Law and Ritual

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit provides an introduction to the study of the Bible, focusing on understanding the literary techniques biblical authors used to convey their message when writing narrative, legal and ritual texts. The first three books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus) are the focus of textual study in this semester.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BBCL1001
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ian Young (FASS), ian.young@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment take home test
submitted online
30% -
Due date: 25 Jun 2021 at 23:00
2000wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Short tutorial presentation 1
Oral presentation via zoom
5% Multiple weeks 250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Presentation Short tutorial presentation 2
Oral presentation via zoom
5% Multiple weeks 250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Exegesis paper 1
Long answer/essay online
25% Multiple weeks 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Exegesis paper 2
Long answer/essay online
25% Multiple weeks 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Class participation
via zoom
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Course introduction; The promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 How to read narrative: the Abraham narrative 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 How to read narrative: the Abraham narrative 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 Themes of Genesis 1–11 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 05 Ancient near eastern texts of creation and flood Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 The Exodus narrative 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 07 The Exodus Narrative 2; Composition of the Pentateuch Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 08 How to read law 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 How to read law 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 10 Law in Leviticus 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 11 Law in Leviticus 2; How to read ritual texts 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 12 How to read ritual texts 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 13 How to read purity texts; Course wrap up Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Pre-recorded lecture 2-hours per week with online discussion One one-hour tutorial via Zoom

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. recognise different types of biblical literature (narrative, law, and ritual) and describe their main characteristics
  • LO2. discuss the main literary techniques that are used in each genre of literature to convey meaning
  • LO3. understand the difference between “exegesis” and “hermeneutics"
  • LO4. write a scholarly exegesis of biblical passages
  • LO5. understand and describe the main themes of each of the sections of biblical text studied from Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback is important to us. It has led, for example, to the interactive elements of the course and the many helps for students included in this outline and elsewhere.

Specific information on tutorial topics and other matters can be found in the Course Outline, distributed in class and available on the Canvas site.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.